The WeatherTech Sportscar Championship started off the weekend with Practice 1 today at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. There was much anticipation for the session as it marked the first time the new GTP class would take the track in Monterey, CA. 9 GTP cars entered the class this weekend as well as, 8 LMP2 cars, 5 GTD Pro and 16 GTD cars. IMSA is also hosting the Michelin Pilot Challenge, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship and MX-5 Cup.
Driver Campbell Power (Penske Porsche) secured the fastest lap in practice setting a 1:16.703 for the Penske Porsche side. Campbell spoke to IMSA.com in a post session interview and stated, “I only drove the last 20 minutes of the session. Felipe did a lot at the beginning and then I just jumped in. I just got some mileage at the end, so feeling comfortable and that’s the main thing heading into tomorrow. For me, the first time here in a prototype so very different obviously to what I’m used to, but very enjoyable. Now we’ve got a lot to go through tonight – the session was very late today – to get ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow’s a big day with final practice and qualifying.”
Highlighted Incidents
There was only one incident involving the No. 01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R crashing into the barrier at turn at less than 20 minutes after the start of the session. Sebastien Bourdais (Cadillac Racing) ran wide coming out of turn 5 and lost control of the car. The car slid into the tire barrier but did not appear to have major structural upon first views. Bourdais walked away from the crash and the No. 01 car retired from the session.
The class leaders in practice 1 were: Louis Deletraz in Le Mans Prototype 2, 1:17.897 (103.428 mph) in the No. 8 Tower Motorsports ORECA LMP2 07; Frankie Montecalvo in GT Daytona (GTD), 1:24.796 (95.013 mph) in the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3; and Ben Barnicoat in GT Daytona Pro (GTD PRO), 1:25.020 (94.763 mph) in the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3.
Full Practice Results are Below
Be sure to check out IMSA TV for more coverage of the races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend.